Kelly Rutherford must bring kids to court

Kelly Rutherford has been ordered to bring her children to court.

The 'Gossip Girl' actress refused to send her kids - son, Hermes, eight, and daughter, Helena, six - back to their father, her ex-husband Daniel Giersch, in Monaco, and has since been told she must have them with her when she appears at Manhattan Supreme Court later today (11.08.15), the New York Post's Page Six column reports.

Meanwhile, the 46-year-old actress' ex has accused her of "child abduction and extortion".

His attorney said: "Daniel will continue to protect the children from any harm and any media exposure. Unfortunately Kelly has now added child abduction to extortion and false statements on her list of actions. Daniel will make sure that the children's safety and well being will be restored as soon as possible."

And at the weekend, Kelly claimed the court proceedings surrounding the bitter custody battle had been "confusing".

She said: "In May, a judge in California gave me sole custody and brought them home. I am immensely grateful and overjoyed to have them back. Since May, however, the court proceedings have been confusing.

"No state in this country is currently protecting my children. It also means that no state in this country currently requires me to send the children away. Hence, I have decided that I cannot lawfully send my children away from the United States to live in a foreign country."